Most councils have debt, which means they owe money. Debt is the accepted way to pay for large capital projects (such as new buildings or infrastructure) because it spreads the repayments and ensures that each generation pays its fair share. This is called inter-generational equity.

Wanganui District Council's debt is mainly due to the $120M wastewater treatment project which commenced in 2002. As the costs of the project get nearer completion (in 2012) so the debt rises. (Pictured is the wastewater treatment plant, which is part of the wastewater project).

In addition, predictions in the 10-Year Plan 2006-2016 on the level of income from some of the council's investments, including Wanganui Gas and forestry, were not met. This has also contributed to increased debt levels.

Council has already indicated that because of substantial changes in the roading allocation from Government, in addition to our commitment to stand behind Wanganui Gas, has also meant council debt will increase.

This is just one of the challenges in preparing the draft Annual Plan to be published next month.

The indicative table below highlights that Wanganui District Council is one of a few councils planning to decrease total debt over the next 10 years.

(Figures from the Department of Internal Affairs, Analysis of 2009 LTCCPs)

Wanganui's annual Ride in a Truck Charity Day is taking place on Saturday, February 13.

Wanganui youngsters – and the not so young – will have the chance to ride the streets of Wanganui in a huge trucking rig and trailer. It's a great opportunity to see up close the skills needed by drivers to weave their fully loaded rigs around busy city streets.

Wanganui Road Transport Association companies are providing 25 rigs to drive around a 5km circuit of city roads including City and Cobham bridges.

The rides start and finish at Trafalgar Square and Mayor Michael Laws will open the event at 9.50am.

Rides cost $2.00 and all money raised goes to Wanganui Barnardos.

International Harpist Robin Ward is returning to the Sarjeant Gallery for a performance as part of his 19-date 2010 tour of New Zealand.

The programme entitled "From the Golden Age" is an exploration of the triple harp and includes music from the Baroque, Classical and Romantic periods as well as from Folk traditions.

Tickets are available from the Royal Wanganui Opera House Box Office priced $20 for adults, $15 for concessions and gallery members and a donation for children under 18.

For further information about Robin Ward visit www.earlyharps.com.

A reminder to all ratepayers that the due date for payment of Instalment 3 is Wednesday, 17 February 2010. Please ensure payments reach our office by close of business on this day.

Council offers direct debit as a method of payment. Frequency of payments can be weekly, fortnightly, monthly, quarterly or yearly. Please contact the rates department for further information, phone (06) 349 0519.

Te Mahi Taha Toi Me Te Mahi Whakangahau Mo Tenei Wahi

Mo Nga Ropu Kei Te Pirangi Moni Awhinatia Mo Te Mahi Taha Toi Me Te Mahi Whakangahau

Funding is available for local community based arts activities from the Creative Communities Scheme (CCS). The Scheme aims to increase participation in the arts at a local level, and increase the range and diversity of arts available to communities.

Applications are now being called for from arts and cultural groups, organisations and individuals, based in the Wanganui District Council area.

Application forms are available from:

Wanganui District Council, 101 Guyton Street, Wanganui
Wanganui Community Arts Centre, 19 Taupo Quay, Wanganui
Wanganui District Library, Queens Park
Sarjeant Gallery, Queens Park
or online at
this page
www.wanganuilibrary.com
www.sarjeant.org.nz

There is a free Creative Communities funding workshop on:
Friday, 5 February 2010 from 10.00am to 12 noon
Wanganui District Council, Committee Room 2, 1st Floor, 101 Guyton Street, Wanganui

To register for the workshop and for further detailed information contact Sharon Duff, Community Development Consultant, phone 021 118 5036, email sharonsduff@gmail.com.

This will be the only Creative Communities funding round for 2010.

Applications close on Friday, 19 February 2010, at 12 noon.

Details about the following vacancies are available on this page:

Office Assistant
Applications close 16 February 2010

Environmental Health Officer
Applications close 16 February 2010

Development Engineer
Applications close 19 February 2010

Water/Wastewater Engineer (fixed term, parental leave cover)
Applications close 19 February 2010

The Wanganui District Council is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.

We welcome members of the public to attend our meetings

Hearings – Thursday, February 11 (Committee Room 2 at 3.00pm)
- Consideration of Resource Consent Application for removal of protected tree in Queens Park.
- Hearing of Submissions for Plan Change 8: Mid Town Motor Inn – To rezone small portion of land from Residential to Outer Commercial.

Council Extraordinary – Friday, February 12 (Council Chamber at 4.00pm)
- Wanganui Port; Council's Communications Strategy 2010.
It is expected that this meeting will be held with the public excluded.

Wanganui Rural Community Board – Wednesday, February 17 (Committee Room 2 at 4.00pm)
- Temporary road closures – Wanganui Car Club (Transport [Vehicular Traffic Road Closure] Regulations 1965); Elected Members' Remuneration for period 1 July 2010 - Triennial Election Day October 2010; Proposal to Ultra Fast Broadband Initiative; Economic Development Research – Rural Sector.

Council – Thursday, February 18 (Council Chamber at 3.00pm)

Council – Monday, February 22 (Council Chamber from 9.00am to 5.00pm)
- Consideration of draft 2010-2011 Annual Plan.

Community Development – Tuesday, February 23 (Council Chamber at 3.00pm)

Finance and Infrastructure – Tuesday, March 2 (Council Chamber at 3.00pm)

Agendas are available at the Customer Services Counter, Municipal Office Building, 101 Guyton Street, Wanganui, and the Wanganui District Library two working days prior to the meeting.